The Spring (La Source)

The Spring (La Source), painted by Jean‑Marc Nattier in 1738, is an oil on canvas portrait housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The work portrays a nude woman, a subject that aligns with the Rococo fascination with classical and allegorical themes. As a portrait by a specialist in aristocratic representation, it exemplifies Nattier’s role in bridging decorative painting and fine art portraiture in mid‑18th‑century France.

Its inclusion in a major museum collection reflects its enduring scholarly interest as a representative example of the period’s genre hybridity.

Jean-Marc Nattier, a French painter active in the 18th century, completed The Spring (La Source) in 1738. This oil painting exemplifies the Rococo style, a movement characterized by its elegance and decorative qualities. The artwork is currently housed in the collection of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, representing a notable example of Nattier's work.

The painting presents a female figure with curly brown hair, adorned with a pearl necklace and a white, off-the-shoulder dress. She is positioned before a stone structure, possibly a fountain or well, with her right hand resting upon it. Her serene expression and direct gaze toward the viewer contribute to an atmosphere of tranquility and grace. The title suggests an allegorical or mythological interpretation, common in Nattier's oeuvre.